Annandale Community Insider - October 13

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community:

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. I made the 430+ mile drive back to Ohio with two of my kids, Claire and Jack, to meet up with my sister for our annual trip to "Halloweekends" at Cedar Point.

October is also an exciting time for our Performing Arts Department, which is hosting a fantastic lineup of concerts. The Band delivered a great performance last Tuesday at their informal concert titled, "Out of Darkness," with musical themes that portrayed the changing seasons and Halloween fun. This week, Orchestra will take the stage on Thursday, November 17. The following week, on Tuesday, October 22, our Chorus program will present songs of encouragement, positivity, hope and joy to remind us all how music can impact our lives. I encourage you to come out and enjoy these wonderful performances.

Speaking of Halloween, October 31, marks the end of the first quarter and is an early release for students. Once again this year, we are using a rolling gradebook. This means that quarter grades serve as a snapshot of a student's progress, but are not used to calculate final grades. Instead, final grades are calculated based on all assignments completed throughout the entire year.

I encourage students and families to check SIS and Schoology to ensure all assignments are submitted and any necessary assessment retakes are completed. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s teachers. Additionally, I invite you to join me on Thursday, October 23, at 6:00pm for a virtual Fall Principal Check-In. I’ll be discussing our academic practices and sharing how we are supporting students with a focus on our priorities.

Lastly, a quick reminder that tomorrow, October 14, is a Indigenous Peoples’ Day. There will be no school for students.

Have a great week, Atom Nation! As always, reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

October 14 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day (No School)

October 16-18 - Senior Picture Retakes

October 16 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving, 6:30pm

October 17 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm

October 20 - FCPS College Fair

October 21-22 - Virtual Postsecondary Night

October 22 - Chorus Concert, 7pm

October 23 - Fall Principal Check-in

October 23 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm

October 24 - IB Senior Diploma Library Day

October 26 - Annandale Parade

October 28 - W4 Activities Day

October 30 - Student of the Month Celebration

October 30 - Underclassmen Picture Retakes

October 31 - End of Q1, 2hr Early Release

October 31 - Trunk or Treat Tailgate

November 4 - School Planning Day (No School)

November 4 - Atoms Athletics Boosters Meeting, 6:30pm

November 5 - Teacher Work Day (No School)

November 11 - Winter Sport Tryouts Begin

October 14 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day. See the complete school year calendar.

October 16-18 - Senior Picture Retakes: Seniors can schedule retakes after school from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. Visit this link to schedule. They will be held in the up-stair’s gym (Dance Room). 

October 16 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving: Annandale High School is hosting Partners for Safe Teen Driving for students in Health & PE 10 on October 16 at 6:30pm in the auditorium. This 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety program is required for both student and parent/guardian. Participants must arrive on time as doors close at 6:30pm, and you must stay for the duration of the presentation for your attendance to be verified. If you have any questions, please contact Lizzie McManus. 

October 17 - Orchestra Fall Concert: Come enjoy AHS Orchestra’s Fall Concert on Thursday, October 17 at 7:00pm. Admission is free to all so come out and enjoy the music created by our orchestra students.

October 20 - FCPS College Fair: The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20 at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30pm. Approximately 200 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies. Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 22. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. Students can register here for the event.

October 21-22 - Virtual Postsecondary Night: FCPS will offer two virtual events on Monday and Tuesday, October 21-22 from 5-7pm. The events will feature workshops related to the college admissions process, financial aid, and other postsecondary educational opportunities. 

October 22 - Chorus Fall Concert: Come and enjoy the choirs from AHS on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00pm. This first concert of the year will feature all four of our choirs here at Annandale. Atom Chorale, Men’s Chorale, Chamber and the Annandale Singers will present songs of encouragement, positivity, hope and joy to remind us all how music can impact our lives.

October 23 - Fall Principal Check-In, 6pm: Join us on Wednesday, October 23 at 6:00pm for a Virtual Fall Principal Check-In, where I will share information about our practices as well as how we are supporting students with a focus on our priorities. Check your email for a link to join.

Awesome Atoms

Annandale High School Pre-Qualified for ENERGY STAR Certification: Annandale HS has pre-qualified for this year’s ENERGY STAR certification. This means that Annandale performs better than 75% of schools across the nation in terms of energy consumption. The score is one of many criteria that is verified to qualify for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR. The next phase for qualification involves a site visit by a certification team. The verification process includes checking ventilation introduced by rooftop HVAC units, and taking light readings and temperature settings within classrooms.

Visual Arts Students Visit the National Gallery of Art: This past Tuesday, our photography students had the opportunity to experience the collection of photographs by legendary American photographer, Gordon Parks at the National Gallery of Art. Gordon Parks, one of the greatest photographers of the twentieth century, was a humanitarian with a deep commitment to social justice. He left behind an exceptional body of work that documents American life and culture from the early 1940s into the 2000s, with a focus on race relations, poverty, civil rights, and urban life. Students were able to view piece after piece that embodied the American experience for people of color, while reflecting on the impact of these photos in the Civil Rights Movement.

Annandale Bands Hosts First Concert! The Annandale High School Band delivered an incredible performance last Tuesday at their informal concert titled "Out of Darkness." The concert explored musical themes that beautifully portrayed the changing seasons, blending in a touch of Halloween fun. It was a captivating evening that showcased the talent and creativity of our student musicians. Bravo to the band for an amazing performance!

Celebrating Our MYP Certificate Winners! Last week, we proudly celebrated the achievements of our students who earned the FCPS IB Middle Years Program (MYP) Certificate! The Annandale MYP Certificate Celebration was a special evening filled with recognition and pride as school leaders honored the hard work and dedication of our students. Families joined us in the AHS Auditorium to hear remarks, receive certificates, and enjoy light refreshments together. A special thanks to Dr. Geovanny Ponce, our esteemed guest speaker, for his inspiring words and for helping make the evening even more memorable. Annandale High School remains committed to fostering critical thinking, global citizenship, and community service. Congratulations once again to all of our MYP certificate recipients!

Celebrating Annandale Custodians: Custodian Appreciation Day was October 2. Over the years we have made significant investments in our building. Thanks to our custodians, we all have a clean, safe place to learn, teach, and work. Across the division, Fairfax County Public Schools employs more than 1,300 custodians, field custodians, and building supervisors. We appreciate everything our custodians do to make Atom Nation a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our students, staff, and community!

Important Information

2024-25 AP/IB Test Opt-Out Timeline and Fees: As part of the FCPS budget, FCPS is continuing to pay for the first six IB/AP tests a student wishes to take. Students will be assessed Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test fees for any tests beyond the first six funded by FCPS. Students that have free/reduced lunch status and have completed the consent to share form, will not be charged these fees. FCPS and Annandale High School encourage all students to take IB tests for courses in which they are enrolled. This is an excellent opportunity to practice taking a college level exam. The IB exam calendar can be found here. When IB scores are released in July 2025, students have the ability to share their scores with their colleges. However, if students wish to not test they will have the opportunity to opt-out.

To obtain the opt-out form, students must see Mrs. Bradshaw, IB Diploma Coordinator, in the library. Opt-Out forms are due by October 31 to Student Services. Parents will be billed in December through MySchoolBucks for any test fees beyond the six FCPS funded tests. These fees are non-refundable and there is no spring cancellation option.

Immunization Requirements: Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records can also be delivered to your school’s front office.

Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students: FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations. Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Academic Support & Tutoring Opportunities

Need Help in Your Class? Stay After School With Your Teacher: Stay With Your Teacher After School! Annandale High School offers late bus transportation three (3) days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All teachers stay after school at least one day a week to provide academic support for students. Please refer to this list to see which day your student’s teacher is available after school.

After School Tutoring Available on Wednesdays: Tutoring is available every Wednesday from 3:00-4:30 pm in Trailer 12. Students can receive help with any class from Honor Society members, IB Diploma students, and AVID students. No sign-up is required—just drop in for extra support!

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost: FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

Retake Room is Up and Running! To support students in retaking assessments or making up missed assignments, the retake room is located in room 299 at the end of the Social Studies hall. Retakes are available on Late Bus Days after school, and every White Day during PRIDE Time. Students who would like to take advantage of the retake room must work with their teacher to sign up.

Opportunities

Sunrise Activities Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Are you ready to start your mornings with some fun? We’re excited to invite you to Sunrise Activities, every Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00am on the AHS Soccer Field. We’ll play soccer every Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00 AM! This is a great way to get moving, hang out with friends, and energize yourself before the school day begins. This is the perfect opportunity to have fun and connect with fellow students. All skill levels are welcome! No need to sign up—just show up and get ready to play! If you have any questions, please email Student Life Coordinator, Bryan Harris. See you on the field!

Winter Olympics Camp Early Bird Sign-up: Winter Break Camp will again run from 8:30am-3pm, with drop off as early as 8am on Thursday and Friday January 2 & 3. Sign up now for the early bird rate of $60. Regular Rate is $75. Sign up at https://bit.ly/OlympicsCamp25.

News from Student Services

Earn High School Credit through Work Based Learning Internship: Students can earn 1 business class credit for working the job you’re already doing! Learn skills to get promoted and plan your future career goals! Participants must have employment throughout the school year and be currently enrolled in a CTE class. Interested students should complete this form. For more information, visit Mr. Howard Dwyer in room 214 or Ms. Consumano in 217.

Upcoming College Visits – Register Now! Our College & Career Center hosts visits from representatives for colleges and universities throughout the country. Find out which schools are visiting here. Juniors and Seniors who are interested in attending must log into Naviance to register. Click on "Colleges" at the top of the page and then click on "college visits." Click "register now" for the visits you would like to attend. Once you have signed up, you should receive a confirmation email. Please show the confirmation email to your teacher and get permission to attend. Passes will be delivered to your first class (R1/W2) the morning of the scheduled visit. If you do not have a first class you may pick up your pass from the Career Center (Room 103). Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry.

College Application Help: Annandale High School offers free college application support twice each week. Wednesdays during Lunch in the Career Center (Room 103) and Thursdays 3-4pm in Trailer 14. In addition, the Atoms Writing Center will be available to help students with their college essays and supplemental application questions during PRIDE Time and Wednesdays after school from 3-4pm in room 274.

College & Career Planning Google Site: Check out the Student Services: Annandale High School | Schoology (fcps.edu), which provides up-to-date information on the college application process; college representative visits; financial aid and FAFSA/VASA workshops; military options; information on apprenticeships; as well as resources for finding a job.

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students: Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as: Mood/behavior; changes, motivation, grief/loss; Anxiety, worry, fears; Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships; Academic stress. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

News from the Activities Office

At Annandale, we foster belonging both inside and outside the classroom. Sports and activities are another way for students to deepen a sense of belonging at school. To learn more about Annandale's Spring sports programs, check out this week’s “Atoms Athletics and Activities Newsletter." In addition, learn more about Annandale High School Athletics and Activities by visiting their website, AHS Athletics Twitter or Instagram page.

Purchase Your 'Atoms Pass' for 2024-2025! The Atoms Booster Club’s All-Season passes are back! The "Atoms Pass" provides you general admission access to all regular season home football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and wrestling events. With more than nine sports showcased, you can save BIG with the all-season pass! To purchase your Click here to purchase your 2024-25 Atoms Booster Pass!

Annandale Trunk or Treat! BOO-tiful Annandale Community: are you ready to get your SPOOK on?! We’ve conjured up a ghoul-den opportunity for you to dress up in your favorite costume, trick-or-treat with the students of Annandale HS, and support the ATOMS at TRUNK OR TREAT!  We are hosting a Varsity football game on Halloween night, October 31 at 6:00pm vs Lewis and we want to invite all the superheroes and witches in the ‘hood to trick-or-treat in the front lot of AHS prior to the game. Costumes are encouraged but not required. We will have candy and inflatables for our trick or treaters to enjoy! Don’t be a scaredy cat–Let’s have a HOWLING good time!

News from the PTSA

PTSA Membership for the 2024-25 School Year: The Annandale High School PTSA is committed to helping our students and community. Together, we sponsor many programs and activities for our students, parents, and staff, including teacher grants, community outreach events, AHS Food Pantry, All Night Grad Celebration, Senior Scholarships, and more! Please consider joining for the 2024-2025 school year by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.

PTSA Pantry Is Always Restocking and Needs Your Help! The AHS PTSA Pantry supports current AHS students who experience food insecurity. We are gearing up for the new school year and need your help to restock our shelves! In addition, the pantry distribution schedule for the school year can be found here. All donations to the AHS PTSA Pantry are tax deductible. Contact the pantry with questions.